Aquatic Pilates Is Associated with Improved Spinal Alignment and Functional Performance in Women Aged 55-65 Years with Thoracic Kyphosis
In brief
Aquatic Pilates reduced kyphosis angle by about 2 degrees in a small trial
In a 20-woman trial, twice-weekly aquatic Pilates for 12 weeks lowered the average kyphosis angle from 42.6 to 40.7 degrees; functional performance and self-reported activity also improved versus no exercise. The small study does not show whether these changes are meaningful to daily life or last after classes end.
- Journal
- Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology (Q1)
- Published
- 16 September 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Paraskevi Passa, Vassilis Paschalis, Asimenia Gioftsidou, Helen Soultanakis
- PMID
- 42783665
- DOI
- 10.3390/jfmk11030371
Why clinicians should know about it
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- Picked for Histology (top studies of the week, 27 September 2026): Aquatic Pilates associated with improvements in thoracic kyphosis
Abstract
Objectives: Thoracic kyphosis is a common postural condition associated with impaired functional performance, reduced balance, and lower levels of physical activity. Women may be particularly susceptible due to age-related musculoskeletal and hormonal changes. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week aquatic Pilates program on thoracic alignment, functional performance, and self-reported physical activity in women aged 55-65 years with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: Twenty women aged 55-65 years with thoracic kyphosis were randomly allocated to an Aquatic Pilates intervention group (n = 10) or a non-exercising control group (n = 10). Participants in the intervention group completed supervised aquatic Pilates sessions twice weekly for 12 weeks, while the control group maintained their usual daily activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included thoracic kyphosis angle measured using a DeBrunner kyphometer, the Modified Physical Performance Test (mPPT), and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Data were analyzed using 2 × 2 mixed-design repeated-measures ANOVA. The trial was registered retrospectively at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07674251). Results: A significant group × time interaction was observed for thoracic kyphosis angle, F1,18 = 66.31, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.786), with the Aquatic Pilates group showing a reduction from 42.6° ± 3.4° to 40.7° ± 3.1°. Significant improvements were also observed in the analyzed mPPT functional tasks (all p < 0.001). PASE scores showed a statistically significant group × time interaction (F1,18 = 9.48, p = 0.006, partial η2 = 0.345), with the Aquatic Pilates group showing an increase compared to the control group. Conclusions: Participation in a 12-week aquatic Pilates program was associated with improvements in thoracic kyphosis, functional performance as assessed by the mPPT, and self-reported physical activity in women aged 55-65 years with thoracic kyphosis.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.